How can you measure the impact of philanthropy on animal welfare?

1 Define your goals and indicators

The first step to measure the impact of philanthropy on animal welfare is to define your goals and indicators. What are you trying to achieve with your donations? What are the specific outcomes and changes that you expect to see as a result of your support? How will you measure and track those outcomes and changes? These are some of the questions that you need to answer before you start giving. You can use frameworks such as SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound) or OKR (Objectives and Key Results) to help you set clear and realistic goals and indicators for your philanthropy.

2 Choose your methods and tools

The next step is to choose your methods and tools for collecting and analyzing data on your goals and indicators. There are different methods and tools that you can use, depending on your budget, capacity, and preferences. Some examples are surveys, interviews, focus groups, observations, case studies, experiments, or existing data sources. You can also use software or platforms that are designed for philanthropic impact measurement, such as GiveWell, Animal Charity Evaluators, or ImpactMatters. These tools can help you compare and evaluate different animal welfare organizations, track and visualize your donations and results, and access reliable and transparent information on the impact of your philanthropy.

3 Collect and analyze your data

The third step is to collect and analyze your data on your goals and indicators. You need to decide how often and how much data you will collect, who will collect and analyze it, and how you will ensure its quality and validity. You also need to decide how you will analyze your data, what methods and techniques you will use, and what conclusions and recommendations you will draw from it. You can use quantitative or qualitative methods, or a combination of both, to analyze your data. You can also use tools such as Excel, SPSS, or NVivo to help you organize and interpret your data.

4 Communicate and use your findings

The final step is to communicate and use your findings to improve your philanthropy on animal welfare. You need to decide how and with whom you will share your findings, what format and style you will use, and what key messages and lessons you will highlight. You also need to decide how you will use your findings to inform your future decisions, actions, and strategies. You can use tools such as PowerPoint, Word, or Canva to help you create and present your findings. You can also use platforms such as Giving Compass, Effective Altruism, or Philanthropy University to help you learn from other philanthropists and experts on animal welfare.

Measuring the impact of philanthropy on animal welfare is not a one-time or linear process, but a continuous and iterative one. You need to revisit and revise your goals, indicators, methods, tools, data, and findings as you learn and grow as a philanthropist. By doing so, you can ensure that your philanthropy is making a positive and lasting difference for the animals that you care about.